Riddick is new chair of HRT board

Norfolk councilman was a defender of Michael Townes, who was forced to resign

June 24, 2010|By Austin Bogues, abogues@dailypress.com | 247-4536

Hampton Roads Transit essentially cut ties with former president Michael Townes on Thursday and at the same time elected his most prominent defender as its new board chairman.

Paul Riddick, a Norfolk City Councilman who was elected board chairman, had supported Townes as he was criticized for cost overruns on The Tide, a Norfolk light-rail project. The board voted to buy Townes out of his remaining contract with HRT, which called for him to serve as a consultant.

His expected retirement in October 2011 was pushed forward to July 1, 2010, under the agreement. He will receive several lump-sum payments totaling over $280,000. The move saved Virginia taxpayers $140,000 according to current HRT president Philip A. Shucet.

Townes had been criticized for not showing up to work since resigning as president. He told the Daily Press that his office had been boxed up and his e-mail account shut off. He said it was not a "traditional employment structure."

Riddick assumed the chairmanship of the board because it was city of Norfolk's turn to hold the position. HRT rotates its chairmanship on a yearly basis, with each of the seven cities taking turns. Newport News City Councilwoman Pat Woodbury was elected vice chairwoman.

Riddick is being thrust into the role at a critical time for the agency as it aims to complete the state's first ever light-rail project, which will cost an estimated $338 million.

His election was somewhat unlikely.

The chairmanship would have been slated to go to W. Randy Wright, another Norfolk City Councilman who had seniority over Riddick, but Wright lost his re-election bid this spring. Wright, along with current HRT board chairman Jim Wood, led the charge for Townes' ouster. Wood was the sole board member to vote against Riddick.

Two commissioners asked Riddick if media reports about his erratic attendance would keep him from fulfilling his responsibilities as chair.

Riddick said he was able, saying, "I don't plan to do anything differently as far as the board is concerned. I just plan to follow the script that each chairman has had in the past."

HRT leadership

Michael Townes resigned as president of HRT in January in the face of criticism over cost overruns at The Tide, a Norfolk light-rail project.

He was replaced by former VDOT chief Philip Shucet.

The new board chairman, Paul Riddick, is a Norfolk City Councilman who was a prominent supporter of Townes.